State Superintendent of Education John White sits with students in Brandi Rivers' seventh-grade class recently at North DeSoto Middle School during a visit to the area.

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State Superintendent of Education John White drew criticism last month when media outlets and education groups caught wind of the department's newest communications manager. However, White continues to defend the hire as a larger part of the department's new direction.For $12,000 per month, White contracted Floridian Diedre Finn to temporarily fill the role vacated this summer by former Department of Education director of communications Rene Greer. Finn's contract, which runs from July through November, is set to total $48,000. Finn said questions about her contract turn ...